Obama vows to ease path for vets

He pledges to get to bottom of VA ills, do right by servicemen

By Compiled by Democrat-Gazette Staff from wire reports

Posted: August 27, 2014 at 2:37 a.m.

Credit: AP
President Barack Obama speaks during the American Legion national convention in Charlotte, N.C., Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2014. Three months after a veterans' health care scandal rocked his administration, President Barack Obama is taking executive action to improve the mental well-being of veterans. The president was to announce his initiatives during an appearance before the American Legion National Convention that is fraught with midterm politics. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — President Barack Obama on Tuesday promised several thousand military veterans that he would take further action to improve their access to health care and housing as he seeks to turn around a dysfunctional system.